A senior Catalan health official has played down the impact of new Spanish face mask rules, saying they would be applied “with common sense” and would “obviously” not be required when swimming or sunbathing.
The stricter new rules, which were reported in the Spanish and UK media on Tuesday, apply in all public spaces regardless of whether social distancing requirements can be met.
This led to concerns that there would be stricter implementation in areas such as beaches and swimming pools and the tourism industry could be impacted.
Catalan deputy director of public health Xavier Llebaria said the rules would make sense when entering a beach or walking on the sand, according to Catalan News, but insisted there would be no requirement for masks to be worn when swimming or sunbathing.
Leading travel agent Oliver Broad, director of RB Collection, said the reports had the potential to harm travel businesses, and insisted suggesting the rules would apply to those sunbathing or swimming in the sea was “fake news” and would never be implemented by a government.
Broad, who lives in Barcelona, said: “I don’t see anything changing with this new law. It’s been the norm to wear masks in Barcelona for example since last June when in public, but not necessary when sunbathing, in the pool or obviously in the sea.
“If you get up for a nice cool beer of course you would pop your mask on, like you need to anywhere. But of course, for swimming, sports and beach activities no mask is required.”
He added: “As an industry, we need to keep an eye on the facts and help dispel these media reports which are harming our businesses.
“I have heard clients say ‘I don’t want to go on holiday if I have to wear a mask’. My response has always been that holiday destinations can sometimes get busy, so masks are there to protect you as much as others in public areas but don’t worry – you won’t need to wear a mask when building sandcastles with your kids on the beach, going for a dip in the crystal blue waters or enjoying tapas while watching the sun setting on the horizon of the Mediterranean.”